Method for packaging disposable articles for parties, apparatus for carrying out this method and final package obtained

Abstract

A method to make packages of objects for celebrations or parties, such as paper cups, plates, cutlery, and napkins with graphical of figurative elements, i.e., identifying indicia, different from one another, an apparatus that carries out this method, and a package resulting therefrom. The method comprises the steps of: printing or applying on each object ( 10 a ) a first plurality of a first graphical or figurative element ( 11 a ); repeating the printing or applying step for further pluralities of equal objects ( 10 b , 10 c ) with a second graphical or figurative element ( 11 b ) for a second plurality ( 10 b ), with a third graphical or figurative element ( 11 c ) for a third plurality ( 10 c ), etc.; creating stacked groups of objects picked up one at a time from each plurality of equal object, whereby each unit comprises only one of said objects of each plurality ( 10 a or 10 b or 10 c ); and packaging the stacked groups ( 30 ). The step of stacking the different pluralities of objects with different identifying indica can be carried out in different feeding means ( 20 a , 20 b , 20 c ), and it is possible that groups of objects ( 30 ) are picked up one at a time at the passage under the feeding means.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for packaging a plurality of party articles, each of said plurality of particles having one or more identifying indicia, each of said one or more identifying indicia being different from one another, comprising the steps of: 
       in a first plurality of equal objects, printing or applying a first of said one or more identifying indicia on each of said first plurality of objects;  
       repeating said printing or applying step for other pluralities of equal objects, each of said other pluralities of equal objects having another of said one of more identifying indicia;  
       creating a stacked group comprised of one of each of said pluralities of objects, each object of said plurality of stacked objects being picked up one at a time from each plurality of equal objects, whereby said stacked group comprises only one of each plurality of equal objects; and  
       packaging said stacked group to obtain a package.  
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said method is further comprised of the steps of: 
       stacking said pluralities of objects with said one or more identifying indicia disposed thereon in different feeding means;  
       creating said stacked group by passing said stacked group under said feeding means; and  
       packaging a plurality of stacked groups into a unit.  
     
     
       3. An apparatus for making a package of objects, each of said plurality of objects having a different one or more identifying indicia, comprising: 
       a plurality of feeding means arranged along a line or a curve, on each of which an input stack of one or more of said plurality of objects is present;  
       at least one support associated with said plurality of feeding means, wherein each of said at least one supports is and movable relative to said plurality of feeding means, each of said at least one support having at least one housing suitable for receiving in turn said objects from said feeding means; and  
       means for selectively transferring one of each of said plurality of objects at a time from each of said plurality of feeding means to an output stack of mixed objects formed within one of said at least one housing, whereby each output stack is formed by objects coming from different feeding means.  
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of feeding means are arranged in a first circular line on a first platform, one of said at least one support being arranged on a second platform provided coaxially under said first platform and having said plurality of housings arranged on a second circular line under said plurality of feeding means, wherein motion between said second platform is relative to said first platform and in succession, each of said plurality of feeding means and one of said at least on housing, and wherein means for releasing selectively one of said plurality of objects at a time on to an output stack that is formed in one of said at least one housing at the passage under one of said plurality of said feeding means, means being provided for removing said output stack from said at least one housing after passage under a predetermined number of said plurality of feeding means. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein said feeding means is arranged in a line, said at least one support being a conveyor arranged under said line. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 4  or  5 , wherein each of said plurality of feeding means is arranged according to a plurality of concentric or parallel lines, whereby a plurality of partial output stacks are formed on each of said plurality of concentric or parallel lines, and means are provided for combining said partial output stacks, so that a single final stack is formed with one of said plurality of objects. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein each of said plurality of feeding means arranged on said first circular line on said first platform are spaced angularly, and said plurality of housings on said second platform each having a housing angularly spaced like said first platform, means being provided for rotating stepwise said second platform with respect to said first platform, and at each step, said means for releasing one of said plurality of objects from said at least one feeding means in said housing present under said means for releasing one of said plurality of objects. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 4  or  5 , wherein said means for releasing selectively one of said plurality of objects is associated to sensing means that detect the correspondence of said plurality of feeding means and said at least one housing, said means for releasing one of said plurality of objects being responsive to said sensing means. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein discharge means are provided of said output stacks comprising a third platform below said second platform, said second platform having each of said plurality of housings further comprised of an opening at said lower end of each of said plurality of housings so that said output stack rests and slides on said third platform, at least one hole being provided for said first circular line and said second circular line, whereby said output stack in turn passes through said opening and falls through it on to withdrawing means. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said disposable articles for parties are selected from a group comprised of paper cups, plates, cutlery, and napkins. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said identifying indicia are selected from a group comprised of a graphical element and a figurative element. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein each of said plurality of party objects is a disposable party article selected from a group comprised of paper cups, plates, cutlery, and napkins. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said identifying indicia are selected from a group comprised of a graphical element and a figurative element.